SOUTH AFRICA
Information sheet for the site designated to the
List of Wetlands of International Importance
in terms of the
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
South African Wetlands Conservation Programme Document No 24/21/3/3/3/15 (1996)
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Private Bag X447 PRETORIA 0001 South Africa
INFORMATION SHEET - 2 -
1. COUNTRY
South Africa
2. DATE OF COMPILATION
Originally completed: January 1993 Revised: November 1996
3. REFERENCE NUMBER
Not yet available
4. COMPILER
Compiled by: Mr. R. Kyle Fisheries Research Officer PO Box 43 KwaNgwanase 3973 South Africa Tel: 27 35 5721011 Fax: 27 35 5721011
Revised by: Mr G. C. Marneweck Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Private Bag X447 Pretoria 0001 Tel: 27 12 3103789 Fax: 27 12 3226287
5. NAME OF WETLAND
Ndumo Game Reserve
6. DATE OF RAMSAR DESIGNATION
Not yet available
7. GEOGRAPHICAL CO-ORDINATES - 3 -
26o53' south and 32o16' east
8. GENERAL LOCATION
The reserve is situated in the north western corner of Kwazulu-Natal, approximately 500 km, north, north-east of Durban.
9. AREA
10 117 ha
10. WETLAND TYPE
Five wetland types which are either permanent, seasonal or intermittent occur in the area. These include:
Permanent and intermittent rivers/streams/creeks; Permanent and intermittent freshwater lakes; Permanent, seasonal and intermittent saline/brackish lakes or marshes; Permanent, seasonal and intermittent freshwater marshes and/or pools; and Tree-dominated wetlands - riparian/gallery forest
11. ALTITUDE
Minimum: approximately 18 m above sea level Maximum: approximately 170 m above sea level (reserve high point) Mean: approximately 30 m above sea level
12. OVERVIEW OF SITE
Ndumo Game Reserve is situated at the junction of the Usuthu and Pongolo floodplain systems. The Pongolo River runs through the reserve (from north to south) in the east while the Usuthu river forms the northern border of the reserve and the international border with Mozambique. There are two major semi-permanent floodplain pans and many smaller ephemeral pans within the reserve. - 4 -
13. PHYSICAL FEATURES
Geology and Geomorphology
Most of the reserve is relatively low lying flat land, much of which is regularly inundated when the Usuthu and Pongolo Rivers flood. Geologically, the area comprises cretaceous beds overlain with alluvium and tertiary sediments, all of which are exposed in several areas. Lebombo rhyolite outcrops occur, principally in the western areas.
Origins
During the Pleistocene, sandy material which forms the Port Durnford beds was deposited over the nearly flat surface of Miocene rocks. This was followed by general lowering of sea levels causing the coastline to shift progressively to the east. Where the shoreline was located for any length of time through the sea level through the sea level being static, a system of longshore dunes developed. It is these dunes with their typical north-south orientation, subsequently much modified by wind action to produce the sands of recent ages, which characterise the landscape of the Maputaland plain. The sea level change also affected flow velocities of the rivers of the area causing them to deposit alluvial material at successively different levels. The alluvium now forms river terraces whilst the infilling forms the present day Pongolo floodplain.
Hydrology
There are three principal water sources to the reserve, namely the Pongolo and Usuthu Rivers and the streams in the south west. The flow in the Pongolo River in the south is regulated by a large dam 90 km upstream, while the Usuthu River is modified by irrigation abstraction in Swaziland. Some of the streams entering from the southwest tend to be saline at reduced flow rates. Eutrophication resulting from agriculture may also become a problem in these streams.
The largest pan in terms of surface area, the Banzi pan, is currently artificially kept at high levels by means of a barrage (causeway). This was deemed necessary as severe scouring of the natural exit during a cyclone in 1983 eroded it and drained the pan. The second largest pan exhibits high salinities at times when the water level is low. It also has an artificial barrage at its downstream end.
Soil type and chemistry
The Ndumo hill is composed of red sands while east of it, the sandveld (situated mostly 30 m above sea level) is composed of undulating pallid sands. Lower down the slope, there is grey - 5 - compacted coarse sandy clay with a hard mottled layer at one metre depth. These two sandveld areas comprise about 1151 ha. The flats, comprising 6316 ha, consist of reddish sandy clay as does the western area (648 ha) of the reserve.
Water Quality
Marine cretaceous deposits underlie the Pongolo floodplain and the groundwater is saline. Lakes which receive seepage can therefore become quite saline (<500 to 5000 µS cm-1) during the dry winter season but summer floods flush them out and replenish them with low conductivity, turbid water (Heeg, Breen, Colvin, Furness and Musil 1978). The waters of the Pongolo system have recently had a reduced silt burden since the construction of the Jozini Dam upstream. The Ingwavuma River, however, enters the Pongolo River just outside the reserve and if it is in flood then there can still be a considerable silt load for short periods in the Pongolo River. The Usuthu River is affected markedly by agriculture upstream, resulting in reduced flows for most of the year. There are still occasional floods and in these instances the silt load is high.
Nyamithi pan is fed principally by streams entering it from the south west. Intensive agriculture in the catchment has recently resulted in heavy silt loads following good rains. Eutrophication may soon result from the increased use of fertilizers in the Balamhlanga catchment. High salinities also occur in these streams at low flow rates due to salts leaching from the substrates.
Depth, fluctuations and permanence
Water areas in the "wet season" cover approximately 4047 ha (40% of the reserve) while in the "dry season" this shrinks to about 1518 ha (about 15%). The pans are all relatively shallow and siltation is a serious threat to them. In the early 1980's, Cyclone Domoina caused considerable siltation of Nyamithi pan while eroding a new outlet to Banzi pan.
Surveys are currently under way to assess the rate of siltation of the principal pans by means of bathymetrical studies and taking cores. This is being carried out by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (C.S.I.R.'s) Water Technology Section of Environmentek.
Tidal variations
Not applicable.
Catchment area - 6 -
Apart from the catchments of the two main rivers, the only other significant catchment of the reserve is to the south west, in communally owned areas where increasing agriculture is a threat. The total area is 11 714 km2.
Downstream area
The downstream areas are in Mozambique and constitute a continuation of the Usuthu floodplain system into the Maputo River floodplain.
Climate
Little detailed information on the weather of Ndumo is available. The average annual rainfall has been given as 638 mm. The heaviest rains usually fall in middle to late summer with lighter falls in early summer. Summer temperatures often reach well above 40o Celsius.
14. ECOLOGICAL FEATURES
Six major vegetation types occur in the reserve. The two related to the wetlands are:
Riverine and floodplain vegetation Fairly large tracts of riverine and floodplain vegetation occur along the two principal rivers and the main pans. The floodplain grass Cynodon dactylon dominates on the ephemeral mudflats while trees such as Ficus sycomorus and Trichilia emetica dominate in the riparian forest areas. Six plant communities have been recognised on the floodplain and are grouped according to their relative periods of exposure and inundation (Breen, Heeg and Seaman 1993). These are:
·the Acacia xanthophloea - Dyschoriste depressa community which occurs near the outer edge of the floodplain under drier conditions; ·the Ficus sycomorus - Rauvolfia caffra forest community which grows along the levees of the Pongolo and Usuthu rivers; ·the Cynodon dactylon community which occurs in areas which are alternately regularly inundated and exposed, and is especially well developed around shallow pans subjected to periodic flooding; ·the Cyperus fastigiatus - Echinochloa pyramidalis community which occurs in marshy areas and tolerates longer periods of inundation; ·two Phragmites communities, each of which comprise distinct species. Both these communities occur in the wettest areas with Phragmites australis having a preference for flat, swampy areas, and P. mauritianus favouring river banks, inlet/outlet channels and pan margins where there is a fluctuation in water level; and - 7 -
· the euhydrophyte communities which may either be permanent or seasonal. These occur within the zone of colonization of open waters. Permanent communities consist mainly of Trapa bispinosa and various Nymphaea species. They are best developed in those pans where the water level is not subject to extensive seasonal fluctuations. The seasonal communities consist mainly of Potamogeton crispus and Naja pectinata and normally occur where a reasonable depth of water is still retained in the dry season. The turions of P. crispus are extremely sensitive to desiccation and large plant standing crops develop where the pans do not dry out. Large turions are selectively grazed by waterfowl which stimulates production of small turions which are less easily grazed. The result is a stable grazing system (Rogers 1984, Rogers and Breen 1990a,b).
Drainage line communities These occur along the seasonal streams, particularly in the south and west. Principal tree species in these communities include Acacia robusta, Schotia brachypetala and Spirostachys africana.
Other important ecological features are the ephemeral small pans in the south west, the principal floodplain pans and the two main permanent rivers. Areas of fever tree Acacia xanthophloea forests also occur.
15. LAND TENURE
The whole area was proclaimed as a Nature Reserve in 1924 and remains so today. The surrounding area is communally owned by the Mathenjwa and Tembe tribes. Most of the floodplain upstream is state land.
Legal status
The reserve is administered by the Kwazulu-Natal Department of Nature Conservation as a protected area under the jurisdiction of the provincial Kwazulu-Natal government.
16. CONSERVATION MEASURES TAKEN
The Natal Parks Board (N.P.B.) managed the reserve until recently, after which it was handed over to the Kwazulu Department of Natural Resources to manage. This department adapted the N.P.B. management plan.
Management plan - 8 -
Currently moves are afoot to join the Ndumo Game Reserve and the Tembe Elephant Park to the east. A joint management plan is being drawn up and should be available in the near future.
17. CONSERVATION MEASURES PROPOSED BUT NOT YET IMPLEMENTED
There is a proposal to secure the Balamhlanga catchment of the Nyamithi pan (second largest) as this area is under threat from organised agriculture. This has been discussed in many quarters but currently local problems have led to its shelving, temporarily at least. As was mentioned under 16 above, there is a proposal to join the Ndumo Game Reserve and the Tembe Elephant Park. The Kwazulu-Natal government has stated that it would like to join the two reserves by including the land between them. Strategies and logistics are currently being investigated.
Recently the local community of the Mathenjwa people have been approached by the Kwazulu Department of Natural Resources with a view to establishing some form of Nature Reserve upstream of Ndumo in the Usuthu gorge, on the South African side of the border. This is to be allied with a community led tourism initiative. Negotiations have just begun but could well lead to a proclamation, in some form.
There have been discussions with the Mozambican authorities about "mirror parks" in Mozambique opposite Ndumo and the other reserves. Since peace was declared after the recent civil war in Mozambique, there have been increasing demands for agricultural, forestry and tourism concessions in the area.
18. LAND USE
a. Ramsar site:
The site itself is a Nature Reserve with low density tourism. Tourists drive around the reserve on a series of hardened roads, principally in the dry, western areas. Guided walks in several areas are offered. Ndumo Game Reserve is well known for its abundant bird life and diversity of species while game viewing for larger game species can be very successful.
b. Surroundings and catchment:
Outside the reserve, subsistence agriculture dominates in the drier areas while small scale commercial agriculture takes over in wetter areas. A large agricultural irrigation scheme is operating erratically south of the reserve in the catchment area. - 9 -
Resource utilization
a. Consumptive utilization
Local residents are allowed to harvest reeds and sedges on a controlled, sustainable basis and a scheme to allow fish utilisation on a limited scale is under way. Local people gain access to the reserve through three gates in the east to collect water from the Pongolo River. Meat from the annual culls is sold to the local community. These activities improved the relationship with the local communities. b. Non-consumptive utilization
Tourism
19. POSSIBLE CHANGES IN LAND USE AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
No major changes in land use are currently anticipated but agriculture, grazing and other land uses will, in all likelihood, become more intensive in the area immediately surrounding the reserve. This will probably result in an increase in erosion, siltation and eutrophication.
20. DISTURBANCES AND THREATS
The reserve is situated on the international border between South Africa and Mozambique. Refugees often cross the border illegally. The previous civil war in Mozambique meant that firearms were readily available in the region. As a result, poaching of larger mammals was a problem. In recent years however, since peace returned to Mozambique, the poaching has decreased considerably. Animals such as black and white rhinoceros which have a fairly high density in the reserve are however constantly under threat from poachers. In addition, afforestation plans by a large commercial forestry company may be a threat to the integrity of the floodplain system on the Mozambique side of the border.
This section of northern Kwazulu-Natal is not without other problems too, particularly with regard to the somewhat antagonistic relations between the local communities adjacent to the reserve and the reserve itself. This is largely as a result of the local people having been removed from this area when the reserve was proclaimed. The reserve is surrounded by poor rural communities in high densities. Land claims and water abstraction by local populations is therefore a possible threat.
Agriculture in the catchment to the south and west of the reserve is leading to sedimentation and infilling of pans such as Nyamithi. Eutrophication and increases in salinity may also - 10 -
increase as a result of intensified agriculture. Noxious weeds and invasive aliens including Lantana camera and Sisal sp are a serious threat to the vegetation over extensive areas of the floodplains. The exotic invasive water hyacinth, Eichornia crassipes occurs in the rivers and, although regularly controlled, enters the reserve in large quantities during floods.
21. HYDROLOGICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL VALUES
The site forms the lower reaches of the Pongolo floodplain, the second largest floodplain system in South Africa. The hydrological value of the site therefore should be viewed in the context of the entire wetland system. Breen et al (1978) ire wetland system. The hydrological value of the site to South Africa hydrologically as. It has, however, great value with regard to fish in that during flooding the principal movements of fish are upstream. Ndumo provides a safe sanctuary and reservoir for floodplain fish as they are under heavy exploitation both upstream and downstream. Annual yields of fish to the fishermen upstream of the reserve have been estimated at up to 500 000 kg per year.
22. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL VALUES
Local people were removed from this area when the reserve was proclaimed. The section of the wetland upstream of the reserve on the Pongolo floodplain however, is extensively utilised by people living in the vicinity. Subsistence agriculture and large-scale fishing are important functions which the wetland supports. This is of considerable value both socially and culturally and provides a basis for the local rural economy.
23. NOTEWORTHY FAUNA
Large and relatively safe breeding populations of crocodile, hippo, nyala and others are present (Appendix 2). About 2% of the world's black rhino occur here. Ndumo Game Reserve is the home for the following red data large herbivores: red duiker (rare), hippopotamus (rare), black rhino (vulnerable) and suni (vulnerable). Please refer to appendix 2 for a list of the larger mammals present, plus the latest information on their abundances. The only of these which is a wetland dependent species is the hippopotamus.
The wetlands of Ndumo Game Reserve support a variety of birdlife which utilise the site either as a breeding or feeding habitat or both. Ducks and pelicans feed on the pans during winter and spring. A total of 305 bird species have been recorded on the Pongolo floodplain and in the surrounding area. Of these, 120 species are associated with or dependent on the floodplain in one way or another (Appendix 3). Of all the species recorded, 35 are included in the South African Red Data Book (Brooke 1984). Of the 120 wetland associated species recorded, the following nineteen are Red Data waterbirds: White pelican (rare), Pinkbacked - 11 -
pelican (rare), Rufous-bellied heron (rare),Whitebacked night heron (indeterminate), Little bittern (rare), White stork (rare), Black stork (indeterminate), Woolynecked stork (rare), Openbill stork (rare), Saddlebilled stork (rare), Yellowbill stork (rare), Greater flamingo (indeterminate), Lesser flamingo (indeterminate), Pygmy goose (rare), African finfoot (indeterminate) Lesser jacana (rare), Whitecrowned plover (rare), Redwinged pratincole (rare) and Caspian tern (rare). White pelicans from the breeding colony at Lake St. Lucia are known to feed on the floodplain from time to time, and in the breeding season carry from the floodplain to their young over a distance of 100 km away (Heeg and Breen 1982). This suggests that the pans on the Pongolo floodplain are important for the maintenance of this, the only breeding colony of White pelicans in South Africa (Heeg and Breen 1982).
The extensive Phragmites australis stands in the Ndumo Game Reserve is one of two or possibly three breeding localities of the openbilled stork in South Africa. This species is dependent on the floodplain for both feeding and breeding, since its diet is restricted to large molluscs (mussels and large snails) which need to occur in sufficient abundance and in shallow water for the birds to be able to obtain sufficient food.
Waterfowl are well represented by a wide variety of species as well as an abundance in numbers. Whitefaced duck for example, occur in large flocks during the peak of the Potamogeton crispus growing season. As many as 8000 of these duck may be present on an individual pan where they feed exclusively on the turions of P. crispus (Breen and Heeg 1982). The large flocks which temporarily invade the floodplain are indicative of its importance as a winter feeding ground. The reserve also provides a relatively safe haven for migrating waterbirds as it sits astride an important north/south migration route.
Two red data fish species, the Mozambique killifish Nothobranchius orthonotus and the Checked goby Redigobius dewaali, also occur in the reserve.
Ten red data reptiles occur in the reserve. These are as follows: Natal hinged tortoise Kninxys natalensis, African rock python Python sebae, Eastern wolf snake Lycophidion semiannule, Variegated wolf snake Lycophidion variegatum, Whyte’s water snake Lycodonomorphus whytii obscuventris, Forest marsh snake Natriciteres variegata sylvatica, Mozambique shovel-snout Prosymna janni, East African egg eater Dasypeltis medici, Forest cobra Naja melanoleuca and the Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus. Of these the African rock python, Whyte’s water snake, Forest marsh snake and the Nile crocodile are wetland dependent species.
24. NOTEWORTHY FLORA
The Cynodon dactylon community which occurs in areas which are alternately regularly - 12 -
inundated and exposed, is of major significance to the productivity of the floodplain pans (Heeg and Breen 1982). With abundant water, such as immediately following exposure, production is high (23 kg ha-1 d-1 dry mass) and the lawns support many terrestrial grazers. Once the lawns inundated again, that which was not grazed by terrestrial grazers during exposure is either utilised directly by aquatic herbivores or enters the decomposer cycle as detritus. The major contribution by hydrophytes to the productivity of the floodplain pans comes from the seasonal winter growth of Potamogeton crispus which provides an input at a time when that from all other sources is at a minimum. The turions of P. crispus are extremely sensitive to desiccation and large plant standing crops develop where the pans do not dry out. Large turions are selectively grazed by waterfowl which flock in large numbers onto the pans during the winter months to feed.
25. CURRENT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES
A small weather station was maintained on behalf of the weather office at the main camp (its presence is under review). Basic parameters such as rainfall and maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded.
26. CURRENT CONSERVATION EDUCATION
There are no special education facilities available at present. A comprehensive education centre is currently being planned for the periphery of the reserve in order to serve the needs of the adjacent community. Schoolchildren and eminent local people are regularly taken on tours though the reserve.
27. RECREATION AND TOURISM
Day visitors arrive in small numbers. Seven three bedded tourist facilities are available to the public and occupancy rates are reaching 90%. A new trail camp is envisaged and the plan is for it to be run by the private sector. A campsite, just outside the reserve, has received funding and will be a joint venture with the local community.
28. MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
The reserve is administered and managed by the Kwazulu Department of Natural Resources, which falls under the Kwazulu-Natal provincial government. - 13 -
29. JURISDICTION
The reserve is protected under the Kwazulu-Natal Nature Conservation Act and its regulations. The Kwazulu-Natal Department of Nature Conservation is responsible for its implementation.
30. REFERENCES
Breen, C.M., Furness, H.D., Heeg, J. and Kok, H. 1978. Bathymetric studies on the Pongolo River floodplain. Journal of the Limnological Society of southern Africa 4: 95-100.
Breen, C.M., Heeg, J. and Seaman, M. 1993. South Africa. In: Whigham, D. F., Dykyjová and Hejný, S. (eds.) Wetlands of the world I: inventory, ecology and management (Handbook of vegetation science). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. 79-111.
Brooke, R.K. 1984. South African Red Data Book - Birds. South African National Scientific Programmes Report No. 97, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa. Bruton, M.N. and Cooper, K.H. (eds.) 1980. Studies on the ecology of Maputaland. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown and Natal Branch of the Wildlife Society of southern Africa, Durban.
Coke, M. 1969. Pongolo pans topographical survey. Natal Parks, Game and Fish Preservation Board Report, February 1969.
Coke, M. 1970. The status of the Pongolo floodplain pans and the effects of a 1000 cusec flood. Natal Parks, Game and Fish Preservation Board Report, December 24 1970.
Coke, M. 1970. The water requirements of the Pongolo floodplain pans. Proceedings of the Convention: Water for the Future, Water Year 1970.
Coke, M. 1971. Flooding of the Pongolo pans: January and March 1971. Natal Parks, Game and Fish Preservation Board Report, March 9 1971.
Coke, M. and Pott, R. 1970. The Pongolo floodplain pans: Proceedings of the Convention: Water for the Future, Water Year 1970.
Colvin, P. 1972. Sociological studies on the plankton of the Pongolo River floodplain pans. M.Sc. thesis, University of Natal, South Africa. - 14 -
De Moor, P.P., Pooley, E., Neville, G. and Barichievy 1977. The vegetation of Ndumo Game Reserve, Natal: A quantitative physiognomic survey. Annals of the Natal Museum 23: 239- 272.
Du Preez, J.W. 1967. The geology and hydrology of the Makatini Flats, with special reference to the problems of salinisation and waterlogging. Unpublished report, Geological Survey, Department of Mines, Pretoria, South Africa.
Furness, H.D. and Breen, C.M. 1980. The vegetation of seasonally flooded areas of the Pongolo River floodplain. Bothalia 13: 217-231.
Furness, H.D. and Breen, C.M. 1982. Decomposition of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. in seasonally flooded areas of the Pongolo River floodplain: pattern and significance of dry matter and nutrient loss. Hydrobiologia 97: 119-126.
Furness, H.D. and Breen, C.M. 1982. Interaction between period of exposure, grazing and crop growth rate of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. on seasonally flooded areas of the Pongolo River floodplain: pattern and significance of dry matter and nutrient loss. Hydrobiologia 126: 65-73.
Goodman, P.S. 1981. Water hyacinths in Ndumo Game Reserve: past history, present status and recommendations for future control, monitoring and research. Natal Parks, Game and Fish Preservation Board Report.
Goodman, P.S. and Tomkinson, A. 1981. A preliminary report on the hippo problem in Ndumo Game Reserve. Natal Parks, Game and Fish Preservation Board Report.
Hancock, P.G. 1978. Dynamics of an over utilized area in Ndumo Game Reserve. M.Sc. thesis, University of Natal, South Africa.
Heeg J. and Breen, C.M. 1979. The Pongolo floodplain: its functioning and role in the development of the Makatini flats. Limited circulation Impact Statement, commissioned by the Secretary for Cooperation and Development, Government of the Republic of South Africa: 374-381
Heeg, J., Breen, C. M., Colvin, P. M., Furness, H. D. and Musil, C. F. 1978. On the dissolved solids of the Pongolo floodplain pans. Journal of the Limnological Society of South Africa 4: 59-64. - 15 -
Heeg, J. and Breen, C.M. 1982. Man and the Pongolo floodplain. South African National Scientific Programmes Report No. 56. Council for Scientific and Industrial research, Pretoria, South Africa.
Kok, H.M. 1980. Ecological studies on some important fish species of the Pongolo floodplain, KwaZulu, South Africa. P.h.D. thesis, University of Natal, South Africa.
Kok, H.M. and Blaber, S.J.M. 1977. A new freshwater goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Pongolo floodplain, Zululand, South Africa. Zoologica Africana 12: 163-168.
Musil, C.F. 1972. Ecological studies on the aquatic macrophytes of the Pongolo River floodplain pans. M.Sc. thesis, University of Natal, South Africa.
Musil, C.F., Grunow, J.O. and Bornman, C.H. 1973. Classification and ordination of aquatic macrophytes in the Pongolo River pans, Natal. Bothalia 11: 181-190.
Orpen, W.R.G. 1972. Report on the geohydrological survey undertaken of the Makatini Flats development projects during 1971. Unpublished report, Department of Water Affairs, Pretoria.
Phélines, R.F. 1971. The hydrology of the Pongolo River with special reference to the years 1969-1971. Mimeographed report, Royal Society of South Africa (Natal Branch) and Natal Parks Board.
Phélines, R.F., Coke, M. and Nicol, S.M. 1973. Some biological consequences of the damming of the Pongolo River. Proceedings International Conference on Large Dams, Madrid, 1973: 175-190. Pitman, W.V. and Weiss, H.W. 1979. A numerical hydrological model of the Pongolo flood plain. Hydrological Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Report No. 2/79.
Pott, R.Mc.C. 1969. The fish-life of the Pongolo River before closure of the J G Strijdom Dam. Unpublished M Sc thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Poultney, C. 1980. Subsistence and utilization of natural resources by the inhabitants of the Mtikheni/Nsimbi pan region of the Pongolo River floodplain. A preliminary appraisal, Internal Report, Department of African Studies, University of Natal, South Africa.
Pretorius, S.J., Jennings, A.C., Coertze, D.J. and van Eeden, J.A. 1975. Aspects of the freshwater Molluscsa and the Pongolo River floodplain pans. South African Journal of - 16 -
Science 71: 208-212.
Redman, W.E. 1974. An investigation into possible changes in the water balance of the Pongolo River catchment induced by land management. Unpublished B.A. Honours project, Department of Geography, University College of Swansea.
Rogers, F.E.J. 1981. Studies on the epiphyton of Potamogeton crispus L.. M.Sc. thesis, University of Natal, South Africa.
Rogers, K. H. 1984. The role of Potamogeton crispus in the Pongolo river floodplain ecosystem. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Rogers, K. H. and Breen, C. M. 1980. Growth and reproduction of Potamogeton crispus in a South African lake. Journal of Ecology 68: 561-571.
Rogers, K.H. 1980. The vegetation of Pongolo floodplain: distribution and utilization. In: Bruton, M.N. and Cooper, K.H. (eds.), Studies on the Ecology of Maputaland, Rhodes University, Grahamstown and The Natal Branch of the Wildlife Society of southern Africa: 69-77.
Rogers, K.H. and Breen, C.M. 1981. The effects of epiphyton on Potamogeton crispus L. leaves. Microbial Ecology 7: 351-363.
Rogers, K. H. and Breen, C. M. 1982. Decomposition of Potamogeton crispus L.: the effects of drying on the pattern of mass and nutrient loss. Aquatic Botany 12: 1-12.
Rogers, K. H. and Breen, C. M. 1983. An investigation of macrophyte, epiphyte and grazer interactions p. 217-226. In: R.C. Wetzel, (ed.). Periphyton of Freshwater Ecosystems. Dr. W. Junk, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Rogers, K. H. and Breen, C. M. 1990a. Waterfowl of a sub-tropical African floodplain. 1. Seasonality of community composition and food resources. Wetlands Ecology and Management 1: 85-97.
Rogers, K. H. and Breen, C. M. 1990b. Waterfowl of a sub-tropical African floodplain. 2. Stability of the grazing system. Wetlands Ecology and Management 1: - 17 -
99-109.
Scotcher, J.S.B. 1974. A quantitative assessment of the food preferences of Hippopotamus amphibius L. in the Ndumu Game Reserve, Tongaland. M.Sc. thesis, University of Natal, South Africa.
Scotcher, J.S.B. 1977. A key based on the leaf epidermal characters of some grasses and sedges from Ndumu Game Reserve. Lammergeyer 23: 28-35.
Scotcher, J.S.B. 1987. Hippo numbers and movements in Ndumu Game Reserve. Lammergeyer 24: 5-12.
Scotcher, J.S.B., Stewart, D.R.M. and Breen, C.M. 1978. The diet of the hippopotamus in Ndumu Game Reserve, Natal, as determined by faecal analysis. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 8: 1-11.
Tinley, K.L. 1964. Fishing methods of the Thonga tribe in northeastern Zululand and southern Mocambique. Lammergeyer 3(1): 9-39.
Tinley, K.L. 1965. Notes and comments on a recent visit to the Ndumu Game Reserve, northwestern Tongaland. Internal Report; Natal Parks, Game and Fish Preservation Board.
Tinley, K.L. 1976. The ecology of Tongaland. Natal Branch, Wildlife Society of southern Africa.
Torres, J.L.R. 1975. Fishermen of the Pongolo. Natal University News 19: 12-13.
Torres, J.L.R. 1980. The amaThonga people of Maputaland with special reference to the inhabitants of the Pongolo floodplain area. In: Bruton, M.N. and Cooper, K.H. (eds.), Studies on the ecology of Maputaland, Rhodes University, Grahamstown and the Natal Branch of the Wildlife Society of southern Africa: 460-466.
Walley, G.C.B. 1980. Aspects of the benthic ecology of the Pongolo river floodplain. M.Sc. thesis, University of Natal, South Africa.
Water Affairs, Director of. 1960/61. Report on the proposed Pongolapoort Makatini Flats government water scheme. Government of the Union of South Africa, White Paper W P F- ’60. - 18 -
31. REASONS FOR INCLUSION IN THE LIST OF WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE
Criteria for representative or unique wetlands
Criterion 1 (a) .A particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural wetland characteristic of the appropriate biogeographical region.
Motivation: Most of the reserve is an excellent example of a floodplain ecosystem type characteristic of the north-eastern part of Kwazulu-Natal and southern Mozambique. It is relatively unaffected by the influence of people, unlike the rest of the floodplain outside the reserve.
Criterion 1 (c). A particularly good representative example of a wetland which plays a substantial hydrological, biological or ecological role in the natural functioning of a major river basin or coastal system especially where it is located in a trans-border position.
Motivation: The reserve is located on the border of Mozambique - possibility of extending into Mozambique to form a transborder park, and plays an important role as it is at the confluence of two major rivers. It contains much of the floodplain of the Usuthu River as well as the important downstream end of the Pongolo River floodplain.
General criteria based on plants and animals
Criterion 2 (a). Supports an appreciable assemblage of rare, vulnerable or endangered species or subspecies of plant or animal, or an appreciable number of individuals of any one or more of these species.
Motivation: The following seven red data waterbirds have been recorded in the area: White Pelican (rare), Openbill stork (rare), Yellowbill stork (rare), Greater flamingo (indeterminate), Lesser flamingo (indeterminate), Pygmy goose (rare) and Lesser jacana (rare). Ndumo Game Reserve is also the home for the following red data large herbivore: hippopotamus (rare). Two red data fish species and ten red data reptiles also occur here.
Criterion 2 (c). It is of special value as the habitat of plants or animals at a critical stage of - 19 -
their biological cycles.
Motivation: The reserve acts an important refuge for breeding stocks of fish which recolonise the floodplain by migrating upstream during flooding events. Therefore the stock for the entire floodplain is protected within the reserve. The reserve also provides an important stopover and breeding and feeding site for thousands of migrating waterbirds along the north/south migration route in the eastern part of southern Africa.
Specific criteria for using waterfowl
Criterion 3 (b). It regularly supports substantial numbers of individuals from particular groups of waterfowl, indicative of wetland values, productivity or diversity.
Motivation: Waterfowl are well represented in the reserve by a wide variety of species as well as an abundance in numbers. The reserve provides a relatively safe haven for thousands of migrating waterfowl as it sits astride an important north/south migration route.
32. OUTLINE MAP OF SITE - 19 -
APPENDIX 1
POPULATION AND BIOMASS SUMMARY FOR LARGE HERBIVORES IN NDUMO GAME RESERVE, AUGUST 1992.
Species Method Estimation Mass Biomass LAU Population (kg) (kg) Total
Buffalo 2 60 450 27 000 60.0
Bushbuck 5,6 100 30 3 000 13.1
Bushpig 5,6 350 54 18 900 87.5
Duiker, Grey 1 477 15 7 155 39.8
Duiker, Red 1 605 10 6 050 50.4
Giraffe 5,4,6 35 750 26 250 51.5
Hippo 2 374 1000 374 000 680.0
Impala 1 441 40 17 640 71.8
Kudu 5,6 100 136 13 600 40.8
Nyala 1 6 877 60 412 620 1758.8
Reedbuck 5,6 300 50 15 000 48.9
Rhino, Black 3,5 35 816 28 560 54.7
Rhino, White 3,5 50 1500 75 000 122.0
Suni 5 200 5 1 000 11.1
Warthog 5,6 40 45 1 800 7.1
Waterbuck 5,6 15 160 2 400 6.9
Zebra 5,6 100 200 20 000 54.4
TOTAL 1 049 975 3158.7
The wetland associated and/or dependent species are highlighted
Estimation Method: - 20 -
1 - Line transect 4 - Known Number 2 - Aerial census 5 - Subjective Estimate 3 - Population modelling 6 - Based on 1990 results
APPENDIX 2
LIST OF BIRD SPECIES FOR THE NDUMO GAME RESERVE
Robert’s English name Red Months present Status No. Data 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
8 Dabchick 4 11 1
49 White Pelican R 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 1
50 Pinkbacked Pelican R 2 3 5 6 7 10 12 1
55 Whitebreasted Comorant 1 2 4 11 12 1
58 Reed comorant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
60 Darter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
62 Grey heron 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
63 Blackheaded heron 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
64 Goliath heron 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
65 Purple heron 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
66 Great white egret 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
67 Little egret 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
68 Yellowbilled egret 1 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
69 Black egret 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
71 Cattle egret 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
72 Squacco heron 1 2 4 5 7 8 10 11 12 1
74 Greenbacked heron 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
75 Rufous-bellied heron R 1
76 Blackcrowned heron 1 2 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
77 Whitebacked night heron I 2 1 - 21 -
78 Little bittern R 4 10 1
81 Hamerkop 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
83 White Stork R 1 2 3 4 12 1
84 Black Stork I 4 11 12 1
86 Woollynecked stork R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
87 Openbill Stork R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
88 Saddlebilled stork R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
89 Marabou Stork R 3 8 11 12 1
90 Yellowbilled stork R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
91 Sacred ibis 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
93 Glossy ibis 1 2 3 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
94 Hadeda ibis 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
95 African spoonbill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
96 Greater flamingo I 1
97 Lesser flamingo I 1
99 Whitefaced duck 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
100 Fulvous duck 11 1
102 Egyptian goose 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
103 South African shelduck 8 1
104 Yellowbilled duck 1 2 3 4 7 8 11 12 1
107 Hottentot teal 1 5 6 7 10 12 1
108 Redbilled teal 2 11 1
114 Pygmy goose R 1 6 7 8 10 1
115 Knobbilled duck 2 6 7 10 11 1
116 Spurwinged goose 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
122 Cape vulture V 1 2 4 1
123 Whitebacked vulture 2 3 4 5 8 1
125 Whiteheaded vulture R 2 5 6 1
126 Yellowbilled kite 1 2 3 8 10 11 12 1
127 Blackshouldered kite 3 4 11 12 1 - 22 -
128 Cuckoo hawk I 3 7 11 1
132 Tawny eagle 1 2 3 12 1
133 Steppe eagle 2 12 1
134 Lesser spotted eagle 1 2 1
135 Wahlberg's eagle 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
136 Booted eagle 12 1
137 African hawk eagle 3 1
139 Longcrested eagle 1 2 3 6 8 11 12 1
140 Martial eagle V 1 2 3 4 6 8 11 12 1
141 Crowned eagle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
142 Brown snake eagle 2 3 4 7 8 10 12 1
143 Blackbreasted eagle 1 3 11 1
144 Southern banded snake eagle R 8 1
146 Bateleur V 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 3
147 Palmnut vulture R 2 6 7 8 11 1
148 African fish eagle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 5
149 Steppe buzzard 1 2 3 10 11 12 1
154 Lizard buzzard 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
157 Little sparrowhawk 2 4 1
159 Little banded goshawk 4 1
160 African goshawk 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 6
161 Gabar goshawk 4 1
165 African marsh harrier 1 2 3 11 12 1
169 Gymnogene 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
170 Osprey 1 6 1
175 Sooty falcon 2 3 1
180 Eastern redfooted kestrel 1 2 12 1
189 Crested francolin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
200 Common quail 1 8 1
203 Helmeted guineafowl 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1 - 23 -
204 Crested giuneafowl 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
212 African crake 1 1
213 Black crake 1 2 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
223 Purple gallinule 7 10 1
226 Moorhen 1 2 4 6 11 12 1
228 Redknocked coot 11 1
229 African finfoot I 11 1
237 Redcrested korhaan 1 3 12 1
238 Blackbellied korhaan 4 10 11 12 1
240 African jacana 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
241 Lesser jacana R 4 5 6 7 1
242 Painted snipe 5 6 7 1
245 Ringed plover 1 4 8 10 11 12 1
249 Threebanded plover 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
255 Crowned plover 1 3 4 5 7 8 12 1
256 Lesser blackwinged plover R 4 5 7 10 11 1
257 Blackwinged plover 7 1
258 Blacksmith plover 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
259 Whitecrowned plover R 4 1
260 Wattled plover 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 10 11 12 1
264 Common sandpiper 1 2 3 4 5 7 10 11 12 1
266 Wood sandpiper 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 1
269 Marsh sandpiper 1 2 3 5 6 10 11 12 1
270 Greenshank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
272 Curlew sandpiper 1 11 12 1
274 Little stint 1 2 4 11 12 1
281 Sanderling 11 1
284 Ruff 1 2 3 4 10 11 12 1
286 Ethiopian snipe 6 1
294 Avocet 4 5 6 7 10 1 - 24 -
295 Blackwinged stilt 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
297 Spotted dikkop 3 5 8 11 1
298 Water dikkop 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
304 Redwinged pratincole R 11 1
322 Caspian tern R 1 4 6 11 12 1
338 Whiskered tern 7 10 11 12 1
339 Whitewinged tern 1 2 3 4 11 1
349 Rock pigeon 4 1
350 Rameron pigeon 8 1
352 Redeyed dove 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
354 Cape turtle dove 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
355 Laughing dove 1 2 3 4 8 10 11 12 1
358 Greenspotted dove 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
359 Tambourine dove 1 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
361 Green pigeon 1 2 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
363 Brownheaded parrot 5 12 1
371 Purple crested lourie 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
373 Grey lourie 4 11 12 1
374 European cuckoo 1 2 3 4 12 1
375 African cuckoo 2 1
377 Redchested cuckoo 1 2 10 11 12 1
380 Great spotted cuckoo 1 12 1
381 Striped cuckoo 1 1
382 Jacobin cuckoo 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
385 Klaas's cuckoo 1 2 8 10 11 12 1
386 Diederik cuckoo 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
391 Burchell's coucal 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
392 Barn owl 8 1
393 Grass owl I 4 1
394 Wood owl 1 4 6 11 12 1 - 25 -
395 Marsh owl 3 1
398 Pearlspotted owl 5 1
401 Spotted eagle owl 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 1
403 Pel's fishing owl R 8 1
405 Fierynecked nightjar 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
409 Mozambique nightjar 1 4 11 12 1
415 Whiterumped swift 1 11 12 1
417 Little swift 1 4 11 12 1
424 Speckled mousebird 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
426 Redfaced mousebird 1 3 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 1
427 Narina trogon 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
428 Pied kingfisher 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
429 Gaint kingfisher 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
431 Malachite kingfisher 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 1
432 Pygmy kingfisher 4 5 1
433 Woodland kingfisher 1 2 11 12 1
435 Brownhooded kingfisher 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
437 Striped kingfisher 1 2 3 4 5 8 10 11 12 1
438 European bee eater 1 2 3 4 10 11 12 1
440 Bluechecked bee eater 4 1
443 Whitefronted bee eater 1 3 4 5 7 8 10 12 1
444 Little bee eater 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
446 European roller 1 2 3 4 12 1
447 Lilacbreasted roller 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
449 Purple roller 6 1
450 Broadbilled roller 1 2 10 11 12 1
451 Hoopoe 1 2 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
452 Redbilled woodhoopoe 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
454 Scimitarbilled woodhoopoe 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
455 Trumpeter hornbill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1 - 26 -
458 Redbilled hornbill 3 1
459 Yellowbilled hornbill 1 3 4 8 12 1
460 Crowned hornbill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
463 Ground hornbill V 2 5 1
464 Blackcollared barbet 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 1
466 White-eared barbet 1 2 4 5 7 8 11 1
469 Whitefronted tinker barbet 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
471 Goldenrumped tinker barbet 1 3 4 8 10 11 1
474 Greater honeyguide 3 4 6 8 10 11 12 1
475 Scalythroated honeyguide 1 3 5 7 8 10 11 12 1
483 Goldentailed woodpecker 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
486 Cardinal woodpecker 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 1
487 Bearded woodpecker 4 5 8 10 1
490 African broadbill V 6 8 10 11 12 1
496 Flappet lark 1 2 3 4 12 1
498 Sabota lark 11 12 1
518 European swallow 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
520 Whitefronted swallow 12 1
522 Wiretailed swallow 4 1
527 Lesser striped swallow 1 2 3 4 7 8 10 11 12 1
536 Black sawwing swallow 1 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 1
538 Black cuckooshrike 10 11 1
541 Forktailed drongo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
542 Sqauretailed drongo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
543 European golden oriole 1 2 3 4 7 12 1
545 Blackheaded oriole 1 5 6 7 8 10 11 1
548 Pied crow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
554 Southern black tit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
558 Grey penduline tit 3 4 7 1
560 Grey penduline tit 3 4 7 1 - 27 -
568 Blackeyed bulbul 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
569 Terrestrial bulbul 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
572 Sombre bulbul 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
574 Yellowbellied bulbul 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 11 12 1
575 Yellowspotted nicator 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
576 Kurrichane thrush 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
596 Stone chat 4 5 6 7 8 11 1
599 Heuglin's robin 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
600 Natal robin 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
601 Cape robin 11 1
602 Whitethroated robin 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
613 Whitebrowed robin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
616 Brown robin 8 1
617 Bearded robin 2 7 8 10 11 12 1
635 Cape reed warbler 2 1
638 African sedge warbler 1 2 4 11 12 1
643 Willow warbler 1 3 4 1
648 Yellowbreasted apalis 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
649 Rudd's apalis 4 1
651 Longbilled crombec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
657 Bleating warbler 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
667 Ayres' cisticola 3 1
672 Rattling cisticola 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
681 Neddicky 2 3 4 5 6 8 11 1
683 Tawny flanked prinia 1 2 3 4 8 11 12 1
689 Spotted flycatcher 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
690 Dusky flycatcher 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 12 1
691 Bluegrey flycatcher 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 1
693 Fantailed flycatcher 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 11 12 1
694 Black flycatcher 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 11 12 1 - 28 -
696 Mousecoloured flycatcher 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
698 Fiscal flycatcher 5 6 7 1
701 Chinspot batis 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
703 Pririt batis 11 1
705 Wattle-eyed flycatcher I 10 1
708 Bluemantled flycatcher 4 10 11 1
710 Paradise flycatcher 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
711 African pied wagtail 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
713 Cape wagtail 5 6 7 8 11 1
714 Yellow wagtail 1 6 1
716 Richard's pipit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 1
717 Longbilled pipit 1 1
723 Bushveld pipit 3 4 11 1
728 Yellowthroated longclaw 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
731 Lesser grey shrike 4 1
732 Fiscal shrike 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
733 Redbacked shrike 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
735 Longtailed shrike 1 11 12 1
736 Southern boubou 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
740 Puffback shrike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
741 Brubru 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
743 Threestreaked tchgra 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
744 Blackcrowned tchagra 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
745 Marsh tchagra (blackcapped) 4 8 11 1
747 Gorgeous bush shrike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
748 Orangebreasted bush shrike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
751 Greyheaded bush shrike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 1
753 White helmetshrike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 1
754 Redbilled helmetshrike 3 4 7 12 1
761 Plumcoloured starling 1 3 4 10 11 12 1 - 29 -
764 Glossy starling 3 4 1
766 Lesser blue-eared starling 6 10 12 1
768 Blackbellied starling 1 2 3 4 8 11 1
772 Redbellied oxpecker 12 1
780 Purplebanded sunbird 1 4 7 8 11 12 1
787 Whitebellied sunbird 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
789 Grey sunbird 1 4 1
790 Olive sunbird 6 1
791 Scarlet chested sunbird 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
792 Black sunbird 4 1
793 Collared sunbird 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
796 Cape white-eye 4 5 6 8 11 1
797 Yellow white-eye I 1 3 4 12 1
804 Greyheaded sparrow 4 11 1
805 Yellowthroated sparrow 3 4 5 8 10 11 12 1
807 Thickbilled weaver 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
808 Forest weaver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
810 Spectacled weaver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 1
811 Spottedbacked weaver 1 2 3 4 8 11 12 1
814 Masked weaver 1 2 11 12 1
815 Lesser masked weaver 1 10 11 12 1
817 Yellow weaver 1 2 6 7 10 11 12 1
818 Brownthroated weaver 12 1
821 Redbilled quelea 1 2 11 12 1
824 Red bishop 1 2 3 12 1
825 Firecrowned bishop 11 1
828 Redshouldered widow 1 2 11 12 1
829 Whitewinged widow 1 2 3 12 1
832 Longtailed widow 12 1
834 Melba finch 1 2 3 6 12 1 - 30 -
835 Green twinspot 12 1
838 Pinkthroated twinspot 4 6 7 8 11 1
840 Bluebilled firefinch 1 2 3 4 12 1
841 Jameson's firefinch 7 1
842 Redbilled firefinch 1 2 3 5 12 1
844 Blue waxbill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
846 Common waxbill 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 11 12 1
848 Grey waxbill 3 5 1
857 Bronze mannikin 1 2 3 4 5 6 11 12 1
858 Redbacked mannikin 6 7 11 12 1
860 Pintailed whydah 1 2 3 4 11 12 1
862 Paradise whydah 1 2 3 5 12 1
864 Black widowfinch 12 1
869 Yelloweyed canary 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 11 12 1
884 Goldenbreasted bunting 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 1
304 species have been recorded on the reserve, of which 34 are Red Data species. The 120 wetland associated and/or dependent species are highlighted. Of these 120 wetland associated species, 21 are Red Data species. 19 of the 21 Red Data species are waterbirds.
LEGEND:
Red Data categories:
E = Endangered V = Vulnerable R = Rare I = Indeterminate (rare or vulnerable).
Status codes:
1 = Present 2 = Suspected breeding 3 = Proven breeding 4 = Eggs 5 = Chicks 6 = Eggs and chicks - 31 -
- 32 -
APPENDIX 3
LIST OF BIRDS RECORDED AS PART OF S.A. RAMSAR WORKING GROUP COORDINATED WETLAND COUNT (5 JULY 1992).
Robert’s No. English name Red Data Count
49 White Pelican R 20
58 Reed Cormorant 10
63 Blackheaded heron 2
66 Great white egret 9
67 Little egret 3
87 Openbill stork R 25
90 Yellowbill stork R 4
91 Sacred ibis 25
93 Glossy ibis 206
94 Hadeda ibis 2
95 African spoonbill 5
96 Greater flamingo I 103
97 Lesser flamingo I 120
99 Whitefaced duck 1896
100 Fulvous duck 4
102 Egyptian goose 158
114 Pygmy goose R 206
115 Knobbilled duck 27
116 Spurwined goose 1241
148 African fish eagle 6 - 33 -
213 Black crake 1
226 Moorhen 2
240 African jacana 7
241 Lesser jacana R
249 Threebanded plover 12
258 Blacksmith plover 11
264 Common sandpiper 45
269 Marsh sanpiper 1
272 Curlew sanpiper 32
295 Blackwinged stilt 35
428 Pied kingfisher 4
713 Cape wagtail 4
Unindentified tern 10
TOTAL COUNT 4240